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Illinois CDL Requirements
Illinois law requires all CDL drivers to have a valid DOT medical card, unless the type of commerce you drive qualifies as ‘Excepted’ (EI) or (EA).
- Non-Excepted Interstate (NI)
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements. - Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA)
You must meet your State of licensure’s medical certification requirements.
CDL Self-Certification
Initial self-certification and submission of a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, can only be done…
In Person:
At one of 47 Illinois CDL facilities.
Medical Certificate Update
If you are a non-excepted interstate (NI) driver, you must provide the Secretary of State’s office with all updates of your Medical Certificate and/or Medical Variances prior to the corresponding expiration date(s).
After the initial self-certification, Medical Certificates (medical card only, not the long form) can later be renewed…
By Mail:
Secretary of State’s Office
Attn: CDL/Medical Area
2701 South Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, Il 62723
By Fax:
(217) 558-5156
By Email:
cdlmedicalcard@ilsos.net
Attach a scanned PDF file
Questions:
If you have any questions regarding your Medical Examiner’s Certificate
you may telephone (217) 785-3002
Other CDL Information:
Website: http://ilsos.net/departments/drivers/drivers_license/CDL/cdl.html
TIP: Not Driving, But Want to Keep Your CDL
Illinois SOS states:
“These CDL holders must continue to keep the medical certificate valid or change their medical category to one other than NI.”
Special Information Updates Pertaining To ALL STATES
MEDICAL EXAMINERS MUST CONTINUE TO ISSUE MEDICAL CERTIFICATES TO ALL DRIVERS
The FMCSA has requested that all medical examiners continue providing drivers with a paper copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate – Form MCSA-5876, so that Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders can provide a copy to the State licensing agency, and the non-CDL drivers can provide the documentation to their employers and Federal and State enforcement officials.
The Agency is currently completing efforts to put into place an electronic system to enable medical examiners to transmit the medical certificate information from the National Registry system to the State licensing agencies.
Until that system is completed, which compliance date according FMCSA is June 23, 2025, medical examiners must continue to issue paper copies of the medical certificates to drivers who pass the medical exam.
ALL DRIVERS MUST CONTINUE TO CARRY A PAPER COPY OF THEIR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
Commercial Drivers – You still need to carry a paper copy of your medical card, until FMCSA announces that this is no longer necessary.
Your Feedback Is Welcome
Dealing with Federal DOT Regulations across the board is tough enough!
But when it comes to State Regulations — There are 50 different sets of rules. Someone could move the goal posts at any time…
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I have a Illinois CDL *A* and recently have been disqualified by the DOT to operate a commercial vehicle due to low ejection fraction and was wondering if I had to surrender my CDL status until it improved if it ever does. Also was deemed disabled by SSA. So what I want to know do I have to surrender my Illinois CDL. Thanks
@ Judd
Your cdl license status is a state regulated issue. Some states may allow you to drive as an intra-state only driver. You would fail the FMCSA guidelines and regulations requirements and may pass the states intra-state only guidelines. Check with your local drivers license department for the final determination.
I also have the same problem They will suspend the cdl portion of your license I went to a gym the first time I had this problem took my medicine and was able to drive again so do your cardio and take medicine and you will be behind the wheel again
I’m going to be having a icd implanted here soon. And I have been searching for the laws in Illinois for how low your ejection fraction rate has to be for intra state driving and also if I could still drive a cmv in Illinois with a icd. I can’t find the rules or regulations anywhere and I asked the DMV and they didn’t know either. I just wanted to find the website for the rules and regulations for the state of Illinois on this issue because I wanted to know whether to keep my CDL or let them go. Thanks
@ Judd R H
FMCSA wants at least 40% or better, but your state should know what the states variances are for intra-state only.
Hi, I hold illinois cdl. I got mail for cdl cancellation do to medical card. I am out of a country do to famely emergency. My cancellation is in 3 days. If they cancel my cdl what are my options to get my cdl back? Thanks
@Milen
You’ll need to contact your local drivers license department and let them know your circumstances. They are the only ones who can answer this question and help you with your situation.
I have a question. I just renewed my dot card 4 months ago through a company I interviewed for. They ended up hiring someone else. I interviewed recently for another company and they want me to get another dot card through them. To me this is completely nuts. My current dot card is valid and good for two years. I don’t get the reasoning behind this. Does anyone have a clue why companies do this.
I had a D.O.T. physical and the doctor didn’t like that i walked with 2 canes because of a bad hip.Now he has me fill out a DOT skilled performance evaluation forms , i finally get them back and they say because i only will drive in Illinois this certificate does not pertain to me.The company i drive for has a DOT # on the doors of all vans,we do not need a CDL but just a regular license to drive.
My hip only hurts when walking, no seizures or blackouts or inability to drive safely.All vans are automatic with power brakes and steering.( left hip).what who where do i go and talk to.
My husband had seizures 8 years ago & had been seizure free for 4 years & have been off meds for 3 years. He wants to obtain a cdl but doesn’t know if his previous health condition will affect him. I know other states have time frames, does Illinois have a time frame also? If so how long?
@Pamela
This is not a long enough time frame for class A interstate drivers.
For intrastate only you’ll need to contact your local drivers license department.
My Dot card expired been unemployed not able pay for physical an license have been supened what do I need do get them renistated?
@Jeramie
You’ll need to contact your local drivers license department directly. Only they can help you with this.
I’m currently hold a class a cdl and this my first year having it and I am currently Unemployed waiting to get off contract and about to get off in about a week or so and my dot medical card is about to expire and I am really in need of some help on how to go about getting a new one so so I can keep it and get no points taking off I have no idea where to go to get it and the instructions on here are a little confusing
@Michael
Just find a certified medical examiner and go get a DOT medical exam and certification. Read the Driver Q&A on this website and you’ll have all the info you need.
Hello. Is the email address provided accurate? I emailed my medical card in pdf and i didn’t get a reply, instead i got a message from my email provider that the server does not exist. Thank you.
@Al
That email address is the one still stated on the official IL SOS website http://ilsos.net/departments/drivers/drivers_license/CDL/cdl.html#medical
I have a medical condition that requires a medical report filled out by my dr. Is a photocopy acceptable to present to drivers faculty
@David
What condition, what type of report is needed and what drivers faculty? More questions that answers, but we have nothing to go on here. And you should have the original form to present to the medical examiner.
Hello, Just want to get clarity on this. I currently hold a valid CDL ” Intrastate only” designation. I do not drive as my full time job, but would like to keep my CDL. Is it a requirement that I obtain a medical card? Will my DL be suspended or revoked because I do not have one based on “Intrastate only”? Thank you.
@Kevin
The published information from Illinois SOS states “CDL holders must continue to keep the medical certificate valid or change their medical category to one other than NI.”
If your self-certification is “NA”, check with you local drivers license department in person how you can keep your CDL valid. You want to get the details “from the horses mouth” to be safe on this.
Lots of luck with that.I recently lost my medical card due to a physical. I went to DMV and they re-issued my cdl license with a K restriction for INTRASTATE only and told me I could drive cdl but not to cross state lines.
Having doubts about this,today I called the same DMV and asked if I still needed a medical card when I have a cdl with a K restriction,I was informed that they only process the information and were not sure and suggested that I call IDOT to be sure.
@ Roger
Most, not all, want a failed DOT medical with restrictions and then the states issues a K restricted license. Your DMV should give you the best answer.
my cdl class B medical certification expired last month. but i renewed my cdl and took written test and everything at dmv last week. how do i get this medical card current? i was reading about self certification, but it doesnt make sense
I am a farmer and was stopped driving a truck and livestock trailer which was empty at the time. The GVW of the truck is 16,000 and the livestock trailer is 16,000 as well. I was hauling for myself and am not for hire and was about 40 minutes from home.
The extremely rude officer said I have to have a Class A license and a medical card along with other license plate and testing issues.
Do I have to have a medical card for private farm use?
@Sara
You want to get clarity from your local drivers license department. In most states once you exceed 26,001 pounds you need a commercial drivers license, person, private or farm. But you really need to get that information from your local state DLD.
Do I need to show proof of citizenship to renew my medical exam?
@Magy
A valid drivers license should be all you need, or a passport.
Would I qualify for a DOT card if I’m driving son a restricted drivers license? I don’t have or need a CDL for driving hotshots. I also have my own authority and my dui was 10 years ago.
@Sylvester
Medical card is to determine fit for duty status. As a hot shot driver all you need is a valid medical card. As far as a restricted license, you need to check with your local drivers license department in regards to what and where you can drive. You fall into state variances and not federal.
hi My name is Simon and i have a problem,My physical expired last year 11/11/2015, i didnt know that i have to renew it, now i just checked my license it says its suspended and i have 19 points, i never received any letter that i need to go to court or i need to send a new medical card
@Simon
You need to contact your local drivers license department in person to take care of this situation.
Does the medical card requirements include drug screening?
@Delia
The DOT physical exam to get your medical card, does not include a drug screen.
This does not mean that any Company you want to work for, will not request a pre-employment drug test — they most likely will. But the DOT physical exam requirements do not include a drug test.
I have a new medical card forgot to have it out on my cdl3 dua past do how long do u have anybody know
@Jason
Get your new madical card updated with your local drivers license department asap. Each state treats the downgrade process differently.
I currently reside in illinois. Ever since I was infant was hospitalized for a tumor in my eye. I went under surgery and unfortunately my eye was removed. I obtain a Class C but I am not able to obtain a DOT. Is there anything I can do or obtain through the DMV to obtain a DOT, maybe a waiver or something?
@Jesus
I am assuming that you mean a DOT medical certificate. If that is the case as a class C driver you would need to check with your local drivers license department and see what type of visual waiver you will need to drive legally. It may also require you to drive intra-state only vs. a interstate waiver. Both of these questions will be best answered by your local DLD.
our company employs a driver that had a very serious heart event occur 2 yrs ago…….ripped/torn aorta and near death. doctors induced coma after surgery. stomach/colon area/organs failed and employee now has colostomy bag. unsure of any other conditions but still needs occasional trips to doc and/or er unit with infections or intestinal problems. employee wants to resume driving truck for us but we are very wary of his overall condition and the potential dangers to himself and others on the roads/interstate hwys in our market with tractor/trailer and construction equipment as loads.
what exactly must we have from doctors to even consider him safe to drive and not be a threat to himself or others? claims his cdl is in good standing and a few months ago, he produced a short ‘return to work’ note from one of his doctors……..which clearly is not enough support in this situation. thank you.
@Larry
Any good CME is going to see that your driver does not meet the standards of medically fit for duty and will not pass the recertification process. Leave it to the CME to make the final decision. He must be medically fit for duty before he can get a medical certificate and start driving again.
I currently drive a school bus for a private company. They do not use air brakes. I have a restriction that I cannot go out of state (IL), as I cannot get a med card, and must provide a doctors note stating I am under their care. I applied for a school district where I must get air brake endorsement. Will this be a problem – can they deny me employment because of my restriction – are they allowed to even know about it before offering a position to me?
@Kat
Sorry we don’t have an answer for you. Our focus is on how to get DOT medical certification.
Is the 217 number where I can fax my DOT results?
whats the fine in illinois for not having medical card?